City of Columbus

Park Clean Up Litter accumulates in parks after sporting events and festivals, it is blown in from nearby roadways and floats downstream into our parks. It’s a constant battle and you can help! - learn more

Invasive Plant Removal With the help of Forestry staff, groups of 25 help restore ecosystems by removing non-native species such as honey suckle. Events typically occur on Saturdays from April through October. - learn more

Playground Clean Up Volunteers for our "Playground Program" will meet at park playground areas will spread wood chips on the playgrounds, pick up trash and debris throughout the parks and do a general clean up. - learn more

Landscaping With the help of Maintenance staff, volunteers mulch and plant the landscaped areas outside of Community Recreation Centers. Events typically occur on Saturday mornings from 9:00am to 12:00pm. - email us at [email protected] if interested in volunteering

Tree Planting Branch Out is a citywide initiative launched in 2015 to plant 300,000 trees in five years. Volunteers can plant and track trees on their own property or coordinate with the city to plant trees. - learn more

Golf Course Golf course attendants provide exceptional customer service to athletes providing information on the course and admitting golfers for their tee-times. - learn more

Therapeutic Recreation This specialized program cultivates athletes with disabilities. Volunteers are relied on regularly to assist athletes in sports like basketball, rugby, bocce ball, soccer and bicycling. - learn more

Coaching & Officiating Each of our 29 area community centers host sports leagues, and volunteering is a great way to help! Interested parties should check directly with the community center where they would like to volunteer. - learn more

Research “Volunteer Research Agreements” contracts are available to professional and governmental organizations with interests in conducting research within park property. To learn more, contact [email protected]

Volunteer Guardian Program Dedicated, long-term volunteers are matched with people who have mental disabilities to make decisions on their behalf regarding health care, living situations and end of life arrangements.  - learn more

Retail Volunteers sign-up for regular shifts at the Golden Hobby shop in German Village to assist with inventory control, merchandise display, greeting customers and serving as cashiers. - learn more

Tutor Provide help with reading, homework and other activities to children through various programs:
- Capital Kids Program
- Quest Afterschool Program

Board or Committee Members Serve in an advisory and fundraising capacity on one of our department’s many boards or committees.
Community Rec. Council - [email protected]
Senior Recreation Council - [email protected]
Nature Preserve Committee - [email protected]

Custom Contact [email protected] to discuss your talent and how we could put them to use to stretch resources and benefit the community. Reference letters can be provided to make custom volunteer experiences build your resume!

Board or Committee Member For those who have a special interest in a particular park, consider joining a Board or Committee to influence and contribute to growth. - learn more